Electrical coin register



May 4, 1954 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL ELECTRICAL COIN REGISTER Filed June 3,1950 4 Sheegts-Sheet l #4 if r144 .94 96 102 8 1 75 4 INVEN TORSCHRISTI/NV 6452/51. v

BY \TOHA/ F Moe so/v y 4, 1954 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL 2,677,450

ELECTRICAL com REGISTER Filed June 5, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F J. 5' E {I5 i i l 142 i I I null /88 72 flTTOR/VEY y 4, 1954 'c. GABRIELSEN ET ALI ELECTRICAL com REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I. a z m 2 M 4 w 2 J 0 4' 1 aI Z 5 8 e m H v d e l 1 F.

INVENTORS CHR/srm/v 6452/5455 BY Ja w FT Maze/501v HTmR/VEY y 4, 1954 c.GABRIELSEN ET AL ELECTRICAL coIN REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 3,1950 IN V EN TORS CHRIST/4N flBfi/ELSEA/ Ja w .F MORE/SON ATTORNEYPatented May 4, 1954 ELECTRICAL COIN REGISTER Christian Gabrielsen,Whippany, and John F. Morrison, Boonton, N. J., assignors to RoweManufacturing Co., Inc., Whippany, N. J., a corporation of New YorkApplication J ans 3, 1950, Serial No. 166,045

Claims.

Our invention relates to electrical coin registers and more particularlyto an improved electrical coin register which is simple in construction,sure in operation, flexible in design and inexpensive to build.

Electrical coin registers of the prior art have been complicated andexpensive devices and inflexible in design. Normally a large number ofrelays have been employed Or a complicated mechanical or electricaltotalizer has been used adapted to count coins being deposited. Thecomplicated construction affords much room for the development oftroubles with the result that difficulties are frequently encountered inoperation. Then, too, the initial cost of construction has been high andthe devices have been inflexible, being adapted to take a certaincombination of coins. In the registers of the prior art, furthermore,the register was adapted to be responsive only to the exact combinationof coins.

One object of our invention is to provide an electrical coin registerwhich is simple in construction, sure in operation and inexpensive tomanufacture.

Another object of our invention is to provide a coin register which isvery flexible and can be readily adapted to vend merchandise at aplurality of different prices. Another object of our invention is toprovide a flexible coin register which will automatically initiate thedelivery of the merchandise and operate a change device to give thecorrect chang in event coins of larger denomination than that requiredare employed.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electrical coinregister which Will operate with any combination of coins and willinitiate the I delivery to a purchaser of the merchandise and thecorrect change for the coins deposited representing the differencebetween the price of the merchandise and the coins deposited.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electrical coinregister in which the coin register is scavenged, whenever themerchandise is delivered, in order to preclude jams.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electrical coinregister in which the money is not accepted until the merchadisedelivery cycle has started.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electrical coinregister in which, in the event merchandise is not delivered, a coinreturn mech anism may be operated to recover the coins deposited and inwhich the coin register is scavenged each time the coin return mechanismis operated.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instantspecification and in which like reference numerals are used to indicatelike parts in the various views:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical circuit employed in ourelectrical coin register with a panel adapted to vend merchandise forfifteen cents positioned in the circuit.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the panel adapted to vendmerchandise for twenty cents, which may be inserted in the circuit shownin Figure 1 in place of the 15-panel.

Figure 3 is a panel similar to that shown in Figure 2 showing thecircuit for vending merchandise for twenty-five cents adapted to besubstituted for the l5-pane1 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a panel similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3 adapted tovend merchandise for thirty cents.

Figure 5 is a panel similar to that shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 adaptedto be placed in the circuit in Figure 1 for vending merchandise for tencents.

Figure 6 is a perspective exploded view showing our electrical coinregister illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of our electrical coin register with thepanel removed.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the money shelf and thescavenging arrangement.

In general our invention contemplates the provision of a coin guidecontaining a plurality of guideways adapted to receive coins. The coinguide is made of insulating material and may be a transparent plastic ofany suitable type. A plurality of conducting brushes project into theguideways adapted to contact coins positioned therein to completecircuits. The coins are adapted to rest on a money shelf which supportsthe coins in the guideways in contact with the brushes. The brushes areinterconnected in predetermined circuit relationship by means of aninsulating panel having registering contact points with predeterminedbrushes and with predetermined circuit connecting conductors. Thearrangement is such that a plurality of panels may be interchangeablyused, one for each of a plurality of difierent corresponding merchandiseprices. The coin guide is made of two parts normally held together by aspring or other resilient means. Means are provided for separating thetwo parts of the coin guide to permit coins to fall freely whenever themoney shelf is operated either to accept coins or in response to thecoin return operator. The arrangement is such that the vending cycle isstarted and correct change is returned automatically whenever apredetermined number of coins of proper denon ination is placed in theregister.

More particularly, referring now to Figure 1, an electrical potential isimpressed across bind ing posts i2 and it. It is understood that thispotential may be either direct or alternating. For purposes of clarityin describing the circuits we will assume that a direct currentpotential is applied and that binding post i2 is iositive terminal sothat the current will flow from this binding post through the variouscircuits to the negative terminal [4. If desired, the negative terminal54 may be ground. The relay winding I6 is adapted, when energized, toattract armature IS, the holding armature, and the armature 2B. Thefunction of the holding armature is to complete a circuit to maintainwinding is energized after coins have been accepted and beforemerchandise has been delivered. Armature 29 is adapted to complete acircuit through a solenoid 22 adapted to operate a change giving deviceto dispense a single dime by way of change. The relay winding 24, whenenergized, is adapted to attract holding armature 25 and armature 28.The function of the holding armature 2E is to maintain the winding 24energized after coins have been accepted and removed from the registerand before merchandise has been delivered by the vending machine withwhich the coin register is associated. Armature 23 when attracted willcomplete a circuit through the solenoid winding 38 adapted to actuate anickel change device. As will be pointed out more fully hereinafter,whenever a Sim-circuit panel is in place this change device must deliverfour nickels, and whenever a lint-circuit panel is in place this changedevice must deliver three nickels. In the case of the and 25-panels, thenickel change maker will deliver one nickel whenever operated inresponse to solenoid 393. A relay winding 32 is adapted, when energized,to attract holding armature 34 whose function it is to maintain thewinding energized after the removal of coins from the coin registeruntil merchandise is delivered. The energization of solenoid 32 willalso attract armature 38 adapted to complete the circuit through a motor325, which motor operates the vending cycle. The armature will alsocomplete the circuit through a solenoid 4!} which operates the pennychange maker. By the simple expedient of placing no pennies in the pennychange maker and by the use of proper panels, merchandise may be vendedfor prices of thirty cents, twenty-five cents, twenty cents, fifteencents and ten cents by any combination of coins. For example, a thirtycent purchase may be completed by six nickels. by three dimes, by twodimes and two niokels, by one dime and four nickels, or by a nickel anda quarter or by two quarters. In the case of two quarters, four nickelschange is given. In all other cases obviously no change will bereturned. For a twenty-five cent purchase the circuit can be operated byfive nickels, by three dimes, by two dimes and one nickel, by threenickels and one dime, or by a quarter. In the case of three dimes, anickels change will be returned. For a twenty cent purchase our registercan be op erated by a quarter, by two dimes, by one dime and two nickelsor by four nickels, change being given in the case of the deposit of aquarter. For a fifteen cent purchase our coin register may be operatedby a quarter, by two dimes, by three nickels or by a dime and a nickel.In the case of two dimes, a nickels change is made, and in the case of aquarter a dimes change is returned. For a ten cent purchase with theloci-panel in place, our coin register can be operated by a quarter, bytwo nickels or by a dime. In the case of a quarter three nickels changeis given. By the use of from one to four pennies in the penny changemaker adjustment, the 30-pane1, by giving four cents change will operateto vend at twenty-six cents, by giving three cents change will operatefor a twenty-seven cent purchase, by giving two pennies change willoperate for a twenty-eight cent purchase, and by giving one pennyschange will operate for a twenty-nine cent purchase. Similarly, the25-panel, by giving four pennies change will vend for twentyone cents,by giving three pennies change will vend for twenty-two cents, by givingtwo pennies change will vend for twenty-three cents and by giving onepennys change will vend for twenty-four cents. It will be clear thatsimilar increments may be had for the 20-panel, the 15-panel and thelfic-panel so that by making the proper adjustments in the change maker,ierchandise varying in price from thirty cents to six cents may be sold.

In Figure 1, the lfig-panel is shown in place. The positive potentialfrom binding post [2 is led by conductor 42 to a contact point 44adapted to be closed by a push button operated switch arm 46. Wheneverthe push button arm 46 is operated, the binding post 48 is connected tothe positive potential. A brush 49 is adapted to connect the bindingpost 48 to a terminal contact 50 on the panel 52 which is made ofinsulating material and carries the contact posts and the conductors forthe circuit. If desired, the push button 46 may be omitted and thepositive potential led directly to binding post 48, in which caseassuming proper coins are placed in the register, operation will begin.The holding circuits will maintain the correct solenoids energized afterthe push button 46 is released.

The negative potential is connected to terminal post. 54 by way ofconductor 56, conductor 58, winding 32, conductor 60 and conductor 82. Abrush 53 connects terminal 54 to binding post 64 on the panel 52.Terminal post 58 is connected. to the negative terminal 14 by means ofconductor 66, the relay winding l6 and conductor '59. It will beobserved that whenever the circuit is completed from binding post 68 tobinding post l2, the current will flow through relay winding l6 andrelay winding 32 in series. The binding post 88 is connected to post I2on the panel 52 by means of brush 59. The post 14 is connected to thenegative terminal M by way of conductor 65, conductor 16, the relaywinding 24 and conductor Tl. It will be observed that whenever thecircuit is completed between post 14 and the positive terminal [2,current will flow through windings 24 and 32 in series. The binding post18 on the panel 52 is connected by brush 15 to the terminal post I4. Thepositive potential is also led through conductor to a contact point 82through a normally closed switch arm 84 to conductor 88 and through aconductor 88 connected to armature i8. When relay winding I6 isdeenergized, armature l8 will energize armature 26 through conductor 90.When both windings l6 and 24 are de-energized, armature 34 will beconnected to the positive potential through con-' ductor 92. Thearrangement is such that whenever relay I6 is energized, the circuit toarmatures 26 and 34 is broken so that only one change maker can operateat a time.

The contact points 94 and 96 are adapted to be connected to the brushesfor the bottommost dime when the panel 52 is in place. The contactpoints 98 and I are adapted to be connected to the brushes for thesecond dime. The contact points I06 and I08 are adapted to be connectedto the brushes for the bottommost nickel. Contact points III) and H2 areadapted to be connected to the brushes for the second nickel, andcontact points H4 and H6 are adapted to be connected to the brushes forthe third nickel. Contact points I30 and I32 are adapted to be connectedto the brushes for the quarter. Figure 2 shows the 20-panel IOI whichhas the same contact points as shown on panel 52 with the addition ofcontact points H8 and I20 for the fourth nickel. The interconnectionbetween the brushes, however, by way of contact points is different, aswill be pointed out hereinafter.

Similarly, the panel I03 for the 25 vending has a pair of additionaldime contact points I02 and I04, and an additional pair of nickelcontact points I22 and I24. The contact points are wired differently, aswill be pointed out hereinafter in describing the 25-panel. The 10-panelI shown in Figure 5 has only one pair of dime contact points, two pairsof nickel contact points and a pair of quarter contact points. The 30-panel I01 has an additional pair of nickel contact points I26 and I28and an additional pair of quarter contact points I34 and I36.

Referring again to Figure 1 in which the 15- panel 52 is shown in place,let us assume that a purchaser deposits one nickel. The circuit acrosscontact points I06 and I08 is completed but this is insuihcient tocomplete any operational circuit. If at this time a dime is dropped intothe register to complete the circuit across contact points 94 and 96,assuming that the push button 46 is pressed, current will flow throughconductor 45 to contact point 48 and its registering contact point 50,thence through conductor I30 to conductor I40, across the dime, throughconductor I42, across the first nickel to conductor I44, thence thenceto contact point 64, across brush 53 to contact point 54, throughconductor 62, through winding 32, through conductor 56 to the other sideof the line by way of binding post i4, thus energizing the winding 52.The energization of winding 32 will attract armature 34 so that currentwill. flow through conductor 88, through the conductors 90 and 92,through the winding 32 to the other side of the line maintaining therelay winding energized. At the same time armature 36 will be attracted,permitting current to flow through the motor 33 from conductor 66,through the motor, through conductor 31, through the armature 36,through conductor 65, through conductor 56 to the other side of the lineI4, energizing the motor and operating the vending cycle. As soon as thevending cycle is completed, the switch 84 is interrupted by a camactuated by the motor 33 to interrupt the circuit through the motor andalso through the holding circuit of the winding 32, stopping theoperation. The circuit between conductors i38 and I44 can also becompleted by means of three nickels. It will be observed that when thethird nickel is deposited, the hot wire I38 is connected to conductorI44 by ber I52 into three areas.

means of the conductor I31 and by means of the three nickels and theinter-nickel contact conductors H5 and III. If two dimes are depositedin the register with the 15-panel shown in Figure 1, a circuit iscompleted through the two dimes and the inter-dime connector 91, fromconductor I38 to conductor I 46 which is connected to contact point 18and its registering post 14. From thence current will flow throughconductor 11, through the relay winding 24 and the relay windin 32, thusgiving a nickel in change and operating the vending motor. It isunderstood that in each case the interruption of the circuit by switch84 ole-energizes the holding circuit and interrupts the operation of themotor and these cannot be re-established except by the redeposit ofproper coins into the register. When a quarter is deposited in theregister the hot wire I40 becomes connected by the quarter and thebrushes, as will be described more fully hereinafter, to the conductorI48, which is connected to the contact point 12 and its registering post68. Current will then flow through conductor' 10, energizing the relaywinding I6 and the relay winding 32, thus operating the dime changemaker and the vending motor.

Referring now to Figure 6, in which the panel 52 is shown inperspective, adjacent the brush holding panel I50, this panel is made ofinsulating material and is adapted, together with a member I52, to formthe coin guide housing, it being understood, of course, that the memberI 52 is likewise made of nonconducting material. Ribs I54 and I56 dividethe surface of the me2n- The left-hand edge of member I 52 is formedwith a flange I58 and the right-hand edge of member I52 is formed with aflange I60. The distance between flanges i58 and rib I54 is such that itwill permit the ready passage of a dime. The distance between ribs I54and I56 is such that it will permit the ready passage of a nickel, andthe distance between rib I56 and flange I60 is such that it will permitthe ready passage of a quarter. The panel I50 is formed with a pair ofopenings I62 and I64. These are adapted to register respectively withpin 66 and pin I68 carried by the member I 52. The member I52 issupported by the register housing I10 in any suitable manner. When coinsare dropped into a vending machine with which our electrical register isassociated they are separated and tested by a slug ejector I1I, shown inFigure 8, as is well known to the art. Quarters will be directed to theopening I15, shown in Figure 6, formed in the upper portion I14 of themember I 52 for passage to the quarter guideway. Dimes will be directedto the opening I12 formed in the upper portion I14 of the member I52 andwill pass through the inclined guideway I13 to the dime guideway.Nickels will pass through the opening I16 to the nickel guideway and allrejected coins will pass through the baffle I18 and return to thepurchaser. A spring I is adapted to bias the brush panel I50 so that itssurface will rest against the ribs I54 and I56 when the panel is hung onthe pins I66 and I68 by means of the openings I62 and I64. The brushpanel carries a plurality of brushes I82. Each brush is mounted adjacenta. respective opening I64 through which the lower ends of the brushesare adapted to pass so that the brushes will extend into the coinguideways adapted to contact coins positioned therein. Each of thebrushes carries a. spring contact member I66 which is positioned toregister with contact points mounted on the panel 52 and upon panelsIOI, 03, I and IN. There are three pairs of brushes positioned adjacentthe dime guideway. If the 30-panel is to be used there will be six pairsof brushes positioned adjacent the nickel guideway and two pairs ofbrushes positioned adjacent the quarter guideway. If price changes notexceeding twentyfive cents are desired, only five pairs of nickelbrushes will be used and only one pair of quarter brushes will be used.In Figure 6 this type of brush panel is shown. The brush springs I86 arepositioned to register with the respective contact points 9t, 96, 3%,Hi0, and the like, positioned adjacent the dime guideway on the wiringpanels. Similarly, the springs I84 associated with the: nickel brushesare positioned to register with the contact points ltd Hi8, H0, H2,II4,- H6, and so forth, positioned on the wiring panels adjacent thenickel guideway, and the springs I86 associated with the quarter brushesare positioned to register with the contact points I30 and I32positioned. on the wiring panels adjacent the quarter guideway. Thebrush panel carries four threaded studs I88 adapted to register with andpass through four openings I90 formed on the contact and wiring panelssuch as 52. Nuts are adapted to be threaded on the studs I88 to hold thecircuit panels upon the brush panel. The wiring for each circuit panelterminates in the four contact points I3, 50, 64 and I2 which arepositioned in exactly the same place on each wiring panel. The brushesI5, 49, 53 and 69 are carried by the member I14 of the coin guidehousing such that when the assembly is complete the control circuit forthe vending motor and the change makers will be connected to theparticular contact panel assembled, thus determining the value of thecoins it is necessary to deposit into the coin register to initiate theoperation of the vending mechanism with which the register isassociated.

Referring now to Figure 7, it will be observed that there is a wiper I92in the dime guideway between the uppermost brushes I82. The lower end ofthe wiper I02 passes through an opening I94 in the brush panel into thedime guideway. Similarly, there is awiper I90 positioned above theuppermost pair of nickel brushes I82. The lower end of this wiperextends through an opening I98 into the nickel guidewa-y. The coinguideway housing I52 is formed with an opening 200 in the nickel chuteadjacent the lower end of the wiper I96.

Referring now to Figure 8, it will be seen that there are five nickels20! in place resting on the insulating top 262 of the money shelf 204which supports the nickels in the guideway. If a sixth nickel were nowdeposited into the nickel coin chute, the wiper member I96 would tip thenickel backward through the opening 200 into the space 206 formedbetween the rear of the member I52 and the coin guide housing Ipermitting the extra coin to fall down this space to the coin. returnchute to be returned to the customer. It will be observed. also, thatwhenever the money shelf 284 rotates so that its upper portion moves tothe right as viewed in Figure 9,- all of the nickels would fall intothis area to be returned to the customer. When the upper end of themoney shelf, however, moves to the left, that is, when it rotates in acounterclockwise direction, the coins will be routed to the coin box'ofthe machine.

There is a wiper 208 associated with the quarter guideway havingitslower end extending into the guideway through an openin 2 I0 and adaptedto eject excess quarters through an opening 2 I2. The opening 2I4 isassociated with the dime wiper I92. Wipers I92, I and 208 are made ofvery light spring metal and are such that coins falling by them willremain in the coin chute. It is only when it is attempted to de posit anexcess of coins in a coin chute that the wipers will eject them in orderto preclude coins jamming in the coin chute.

As can be seen by reference to Figure 10, the coin shelf 204 is providedwith a pair of lugs 2I0 positioned in slots 2I8 formed in the housingI10 so that the coin chute can pivot both in a clockwise andcounterclockwise direction. A pin 220 is secured to the coin shelf 204extending parallel to and above its axis of rotation. A lever 222 ispivoted around a shaft 226 carried by the housing I10. The upper end ofthe lever is formed with a flange 224 extending between the coin guidemember I52 and the brush panel I50. The brush panel is carried by aframe 228, the lower end of which extends downwardly in the path of theupper end of the shelf 204, as is clearly shown in Figure 10. A bracket230 is carried by the shelf secured thereto above the longitudinal axisof rotation of the shelf. The bracket is formed with an inclined surface232 positioned in the path of a reciprocal member 234. This member actsas the coin return operating link and when it moves downwardly it willstrike the inclined surface 232 and rotate the shelf 204 in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 10, carrying the pin 220to the left, as viewed in Figure 10. This will rotate the lever 222 in aclockwise direction so that the flange 224 will move away from the brushpanel I50,- having no effect thereon. The upper end of the shelf 204,however, will strike the frame 228 of the brush panel and carry it tothe left as viewed in Figure 10, opening the coin guides and permittingcoins to fall freely between the money shelf and the rear of themachine, that is, through the space 200 in Figure 8, and toward theobserver in Figure 10.

The money shelf 204 is provided with a second bracket 236 carried by itbelow its axis of rotation. This bracket is provided with an inclinedsurface 238 adapted. to be contacted by pin 240 carried by thereciprocating link 242. This link is adapted to be moved toward theright during the operation of the vending cycle to carry the pin 240into contact with the inclined surface 238 in order to cam the moneyshelf to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 10. Thiscarries the lower end of the lever 222 to the right, moving the flange224 of the lever 222 to the left, rotating the lever in acounterclockwise direction. The flange 224 contacts the lower end of thebrush. panel I50 moving it outwardly against the action of the springHi0, thus opening the coin chutes and permitting them to be scavenged inevent there is a tendency of coins to stick therein due to excessivefriction or due to a slightly bent coin or the like. When the moneyshelf rotates in a clockwise direction to a position clear of the coinchutes money will drop into the coin box. It will be seen that whetherthe coin return is operated or whether the money shelf is actuated totake the coins, ineither event the coin chutes are opened or scavenged,guarding against the coin chutes becoming jammed, or relieving a jam ifone should occur, as for example might be the case with a badly worndime which is exceptionally thin.

We have thus far described the operation of our coin register with alc-panel in place. Referring now to Figure 2 in which the -panel It! isshown, it will be observed that there are new four pairs of nickelcontact points, the contact points H8 and I26 being added above contactpoints H4 and HE. Connector H9 connects contact point I 20 with contactpoint Il l. The conductor I37, instead of connecting conductor I38 tocontact point I I4, now connects thisconductor to contact point H6. Inaddition, the conductor I42, which was formerly connected to the firstnickel, is now connected to the second nickel and an additionalconductor 39 connects the second dime to the conductor Md. When twodimes are placed in the coin chutes with panel ill! in place, thecircuit across posts 53 and G l is completed by way of conductor 91 andthe two dime brushes which are connected to the dime contact points.When two nickels and one dime are inserted in the register fitted withpanel IllI the circuit is completed by way of the first dime and by wayof the two nickels in series, current fiowing through the first dimethen to the second nickel by way of conductor Hi2, through theconnection Ill, then through the first nickel to conductor I44, thenceto post $5. In the case of four nickels, the circuit is completedthrough conductor I37, to the fourth nickel, thence through theconnecting wires Ilt, II5 and I II, through the third, second and firstnickels intermediate thereof and thence to conductor IM to the post 64.If a quarter is placed in the register with the 20-panel IIII inposition, the circuit is completed from post 56 through conductor I38,conductor I40, through the quarter and thence through conductor I29 tothe post I8, which is connected by post I4 and conductor]? to actuatethe nickel change device and the vending cycle, as described above. Itwill be seen, therefore, that with the 20c-panel in place the registerwill operate the vending cycle for two dimes, for four nickels or fortwo nickels and one dime, giving no change. In the case of a quarter thechange maker is operated to give change of one nickel and to operate thevending cycle.

Referring now to Figure 3 in which the panel is shown, it will be notedthat a pair of of third dime contacts I t2 and I34 have been added andthat contact IE2 is connected to contact tilt by means of a conductorIElI. Another pair of nickel contact points I22 and I24 have been addedand the contact point I24 of the fifth nickel is connected to thecontact point II 8 of the fourth nickel by a conductor I23. The circuitcan be completed by means of five nickels since the connection I3?connecting hot wire IE3 to the nickel contact points now makes contactwith the uppermost nickel contact point I22. When the fifth nickel is inplace current will fiow through the nickels and the intermediateconnecting conductors I23, H9, H5 and III to the conductor E44, thuscompleting the vending cycle circuit, in the manner described above. Itwill be observed that the conductor I42 now interconnects the thirdnickel contact point lid with the first dime contact point 96 so thatthe circuit may be completed from the hot wire I38 through the conductorI40 to the first dime contact point 94, thence through the first dime toconductor I42, to the third nickel contact point II4, which, when threenickels have been deposited will complete the circuit to conductor 10I44, thus permitting the register to operate the vending mechanism forone dime and three nickels and giving no change. It will be observedthat in the 25-panel I33 we have added a conductor I4I whichinterconnects the second dime contact I536 with the first nickel contactpoint Ills. If we deposit two dimes in the register fitted with thepanel W3, current will flow from the hot wire post 56 to the conductorI40, to the first dime, through connecting conductor ill to the seconddime, through the second dime, thence through conductor I4I to the firstnickel post Iilfi. If a first nickel is also in the register, thecircuit will be completed through conductor 34 to the post t l, thusoperating the vending cycle and giving no change. When a quarter isdeposited in the register fitted with the panel I93 current will flowfrom the hot wire I38 through the conductor Idil, to the contact point I32, through the quarter, to the contact point I39 and thence throughconductor I29, to the conductor I44 and thence to negative post 64,operating the vending cycle and giving no change. When three dimes aredeposited in the register fitted with the panel I93, current will fiowfrom the hot wire 538 through conductor I40, through the first dime,through conductor 91, through the second dime, through conductor I llI,through the third dime and thence through conductor I to the post 18,this post being connected to post M which operates the nickel coinchange mechanism and the vending cycle relays, as described above. Itwill be seen, therefore, that with the 25-panel I93 in place in theregister the vending mechanism will operate and give a nickel in change.

Let us now consider the register with the 30- panel till assembled. Itwill be observed that in this panel a sixth pair of nickel contactpoints I26 and I23 have been added and that the hot wire I38 is nowconnected by means of conductor It? to the sixth nickel contact I26. Inaddition, the first dime contact point 98 is connected by conductor I42to the fourth nickel contact point H8, and the second dime contact pointits is connected by conductor [4! to the second nickel contact point II0. In addition, the third dime contact point IE4 is connected byconductor I43 to the return conductor I44. A second pair of quartercontacts I34 and I36 have been added with the contact point I36 beingconnected to the contact point I30 by the connecting conductor I35. Thesecond quarter contact point I34 is connected by conductor I33 to thenickel change operating post 78. In this case it will be observed thatthe nickel change maker is designed to give four nickels in changeinstead of merely one nickel, as is well understood in the art. Sincethe panel Ifl'I is a 3 panel, it is set to operate only with thirtycents. Considering now six nickels, it will be observed that the circuitbetween posts at and 64 will be completed by the sixth nickel by way ofconductor Itl, the sixth nickel, connector I21, the fifth nickel,connector I23, the fourth nickel, connector N9, the third nickel,connector II5, the second nickel, connector III, the first nickel andthence through conductor 544 to the post 64, operating the vending cyclefor six nickels. When three dimes are in position in the register fittedwith the panel I01, the third dime is adapted to complete the circuit byway of conductor I40, the first dime, connector 9'7, the second dime,connector IBI, the third dime, conductor I43 to post 64, When two dimesare empl d th 11 circuit will be completed in the register fitted withpanel IIJ'I by the addition of two nickels, in which case the circuit iscompleted from conductor I38 to conductor I40, through the first dime,connector 01, through the second dime, through conductor I4I, throughthe second nickel, through connector III, through the first nickel andthence through conductor I44 to the post 54. The circuit is adapted tobe completed by means of one dime and four nickels, in which casecurrent will flow from the hot wire I38 through the conductor I40,through the first dime, through conductor I42, through the fourthnickel, through connector H9, through the third nickel, throughconnector II5, through the second nickel, through connector III, throughthe first nickel and thence through conductor I44 to the post 64. Thecircuit is also adapted to be completed by a quarter and a nickel. Inthis case current will flow through the conductor I38, through conductorI40, through the first quarter, through conductor I8l, through the firstnickel and thence through conductor I4 1 to the post 54. In all thecases just mentioned the register will cause the vending cycle tooperate, and no change will be given. When, however, two quarters aredeposited in the register, the circuit will be completed from the hotwire I38 through the conductor I40, through the first quarter, throughconnecting conductor I35, through the second quarter, through theconductor I33 to the post I8 which will operate both the change makingrelay and the vending cycle relay. In this case the change making relay,that is, the nickel relay will dispense four nickels so that from thefifty cents deposited twenty cents in change is given and themerchandising cycle operated.

Referring now to the -panel I05, it will be seen that there are only twopairs of nickel contact points, a single pair of dime contact points anda single pair of quarter contact points. In this case the change makeris adjusted to dispense three nickels every time the nickel change makeris operated. With one dime the circuit is completed from the hot wireI38 through conductor I46, through the dime and thence through conductorI42, which in this case is connected directly to the conductor I44 sothat the circuit between posts 50 and 64 is thus completed by a singledime. The circuit is also adapted to be completed by two nickels. Inthis case conductor I3! is connected to the contact point H8 of thesecond nickel so that upon the deposit thereof current will fiow fromconductor I38, through the conductor I37, through the second nickel,through the cross connection III, through the first nickel, through theconductor I44 to the post 04. When a quarter is deposited, current willfiow from the hot wire I38, through the conductor I40, across thequarter, through the conductor I33, which is now connected to the firstquarter, contact point I36 and thence to post 18 so that the changemaker and the vending cycle relays are both energized by the deposit ofa quarter. Since the change maker is loaded to dispense three nickels,upon its operation both the merchandise and three nickels will bereturned.

It will be understood, of course, that with the operation of the vendingcycle, the change making solenoid 40, which may be any suitable type ofprime mover, is also operated and this is designed to dispense penniesin groups of one, two, three or four depending on its adjustment.

.12 If the prices are multiples of five cents, then no pennies areloaded, as described above.

If, however, the price is from one to four cents less than the evenmultiple of five, from one to four pennies are loaded in the pennychange maker, as described above.

It will be noted that the push button operated switch 46 described abovecan be used to initiate the vending cycle. The operation of this pushbutton may be controlled by a number of selector buttons as is known inthe art so that a particular vending column in a multicolumn vendingmachine may be mechanically or electrically coupled to the vendingcycle, as is well known in the art, by the use of individual selectorbuttons. If desired, the push button switch 46 may be eliminated so thatthe register will function automatically upon the deposit of the rightnumber of coins of proper denomination.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention.We have provided an extremely simple, reliable and flexible electricalcoin register adapted to vend merchandise with any combination of coinswith a wide variety or" ranges, and the price of the merchandise beingvended may be readily changed with convenience and facility. Unless theright number of coins is deposited, it is impossible to initiate thevending cycle, and change is automatically given in event the rightcombination of coins is not possessed by the user. If the vending cycleis not initiated coins will not be accepted. The relay E40 is alsoadapted to operate a locking mechanism comprising the locking pin 11,shown in Figure 6, adapted to fit in the opening 233 of the coin returnoperating link. The arrangement is such that as soon as the vendingcycle starts, the coin return link cannot be operated. This precludesthe danger of starting the vending cycle and then operating the coinreturn mechanism. If the vending cycle is not started the coin returnmay be operated. The coin chutes are scavenged automatically wheneverthe coins are accepted or whenever the coin return mechanism isoperated. This ensures that the coin chutes will not become jammed.Furthermore, the scavenging arrangement enables us to use considerablespring pressure on the brushes I82. The constant falling of coins by thebrushes keeps wiping the brushes, maintaining good electrical contactsthrough the coins. Since silver and nickel are good conductors, there islittle danger that the circuits will not be completed by the coins. If acoin happens to be covered with insulating material or a layer of greaseor grime, which is non-conducting, all that is necessary is to operatethe coin return and redeposit the coins.

Our device is inexpensive to construct and there are few moving partswhich are apt to become misatljusted.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of ourclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of our claims without departing from the spiritof our invention. It is therefore to be understood that our invention isnot to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. An electrical coin register including in combination an electricallyenergizable prime mover,

a source of potential, a first relay having a winding, an armature and apair of contacts, a plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins ofdifiercnt denominations, brushes positioned in said coin chutes adaptedto be bridged by coins therein, means for supporting coins in said coinchutes, a change giving device, a second relay having a winding, a firstinitating circuit including the source of potential, predeterminedbrushes and said first relay winding in series, a second initiatingcircuit including said second relay winding, predetermined brushes andsaid first relay winding connected in series across said potentialsource, a holding circuit including said first relay winding, one of therelay contacts, the relay armature and a normally closed switchconnected in series across said potential source, an operating circuitincluding the prime mover, the armature and the other of said relaycontacts connected in series across the potential source, meansresponsive to a predetermined movement of the prime mover for openingsaid normally closed holding circuit switch, means responsive to themovement of the prime mover for moving said coin support to accept coinsfrom the coin register and means responsive to the energization of saidsecond relay for operating said change giving device.

2. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 including in combination aremovable circuit panel adapted to connect groups of predeterminedbrushes in series and readily releasable means for securing said circuitpanel in brush-connecting position.

3. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutesare adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, some of said brushesbeing positioned in pairs in the dime chute, some of said brushes beingpositioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and one pair of said brushesbeing positioned in the quarter chute, a removable circuit panel adaptedto permit the energization of the first initiating circuit for tencents, said removable circuit panel having circuit means connecting onepair of dime brushes in series with the first initiating circuit,circuit means connecting two pairs of nickel brushes in series with thefirst initiating circuit and the pair of quarter brushes in series withthe second initiating circuit to give change aggregating fifteen centsin value.

4. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutesare adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, a plurality of saidbrushes being positioned in pairs in the dime chute, a plurality of saidbrushes being positioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and one pair ofsaid brushes being positioned in the quarter chute, a removable circuitpanel adapted to permit the energization of the first initiating circuitfor fifteen cents, said circuit panel having conductors adapted toconnect three pairs of nickel brushes in series with the firstinitiating circuit, circuit means to connect one pair of dime brushesand one pair of nickel brushes in series with the first initiatingcircuit, conductors adapted to connect two pairs of dime brushes inseries with said second initiating circuit to give change of a nickel, athird initiating circuit having a third relay winding connected inseries with said first relay winding across said potential source, asecond change maker, means responsive to the actuchange maker, circuitmeans carried by said removable paneladapted to connect the pair ofquarter brushes in series with said third initiating circuit whereby toreturn change aggregating ten cents to operate the device with which thecoin register is associated in response to the deposit or" a quarter.

5. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutesare adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, a plurality of saidbrushes being positioned in pairs in the dime chute, a plurality of saidbrushes being positioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and one pair ofsaid brushes being positioned in the quarter chute, a

removable circuit panel adapted to permit the energization of the firstinitiating circuit for twenty cents, said circuit panel havingconductors for connecting four pairs of nickel brushes in series withsaid first initiating circuit, conductors for connecting two pairs ofdime brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductorsfor connecting two pairs of nickel brushes and one pair of dime brushesin series with said first initiating circuit andthe pair of quarterbrushes in series with said second initiating circuit Whereby, upon thedeposit or" a quarter, the device with which the coin register isassociated will be operated and a nickel in change returned to the user.

6. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutesare adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, a plurality of saidbrushes being positioned in pairs in the dime chute, a plurality of saidbrushes being positioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and one pair ofsaid brushes being positioned in the quarter chute, a removable circuitpanel adapted to permit the energization of the first initiating circuitfor twenty-five cents having conductors connecting five pairs of nickelbrushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductorsconnecting three pairs of nickel brushes and one pair of dime brushes inseries with said first initiating circuit, conductors connecting twopairs of dime brushes and one pair of nickel brushes in series with saidfirst initiating circuit, conductors connecting the pair of quarterbrushes in series with said first initiating circuit and conductorsconnecting three pairs of dime brushes in series with said secondinitiating circuit.

7. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutesare adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, a plurality of saidbrushes being positioned in pairs in the dime chute, a plurality of saidbrushes being positioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and a pluralityof said brushes being positioned in pairs in the quarter chute, aremovable circuit panel adapted to permit the energization of the firstinitiating circuit for thirty cents including conductors connecting sixpairs of nickel brushes in series with said first initiating circuit,conductors connecting three pairs of dime brushes in series with saidfirst initiating circuit, conductors connecting four pairs of nickelbrushes and one pair of dime brushes in series with said firstinitiating circuit, conductors connecting two pairs of dime brushes andtwo pairs of nickel brushes in series with said first initiatingcircuit, conductors connecting one pair of nickel brushes and one pairof quarter brushes in series with said first initiating circuit andconductors connecting two pairs of quarter brushes in series with saidsecond initiating circuit.

8. In an electrical coin register a coin guide ation of said third relayfor operating said second member, a brush panel, means for biasing thecoin guide member and the brush panel into engagement with each other toform a coin chute. brushes carried by the brush panel and extending intothe coin chute, a coin shelf, means for pivotally mounting the coinshelf below the coin chute to support a coin thereon in the coin chute,means for pivoting the coin shelf to accept a coin in the coin chute andmeans responsive to the pivoting of the coin shelf to separate the coinguide member and the brush panel against the action of the biasingmeans.

9. An electrical coin register as in claim 8 in which said coin guidemember and said brush panel form a plurality of coin chutes and saidbrushes carried by the brush panel extend into each of said coin chutes,circuit means for connecting the brushes to form an electrical circuitadapted to be completed across the brushes by coins in said coin chutes.

10. In an electrical coin register a coin guide member, a brush panel,means for biasing the coin guide member and the brush panel intoengagement with each other to form a coin chute, a coin shelf, means forpivotally mounting the coin shelf adjacent the coin chute to supportcoins thereon in the coin chute, brushes carried by the brush panel andextending into the coin chute, means for pivoting the coin shelf in onedirection to accept coins in the coin chute, means for pivoting the coinshelf in the opposite direction to return coins in the coin chute to adepositor and means responsive to the pivotal movement of the coin shelfin either direction to separate the coin guide member and the brushpanel from each other against the action of said biasing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,644,371 Goldman Oct. 4, 1927 1,847,987 Semel Mar. 1, 19321,900,989 Halsted et al. Mar. 14, 1933 2,016,127 Weiler Oct. 1, 19352,371,260 Petersen Mar. 13, 1945 2,430,408 Newcomer Nov. 4, 19472,516,823 Ziegler July 25, 1950 2,599,173 Hamilton June 3, 1952 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 192,139 Great Britain Jan. 24, 1923

